Trojans lock down, rally for win

FAIRFIELD — Things were looking bleak for the Fairfield baseball team after visiting Williamsburg’s second at bat on Tuesday night. The Trojans trailed by four runs against a tough opponent, but confidence never faded in the Fairfield dugout.

The Trojans settled down, scrapped and clawed their way back, and earned an 8-6 non-conference win.

“They have a really, really good squad,” said Fairfield head coach Josh Allison. “We knew it was going to be a battle.”

Down 4-0 in the bottom of the second, the Fairfield offense went to work. The Trojans loaded the bases for Tate Allen, who brought one in on a sacrifice fly, and Cason Miller stepped up and cut it to 4-3 with a two-run double.

Trojan starter Tallon Bates rebounded nicely from a tough top of the second. Over the next four innings, he would allow just two more runs.

“That’s something I’ve been working on in the offseason is just trying to stay confident in myself and relax when I’m in a tough spot like that,” Bates said. “They’re a great team, (but) my defense really helped me out tonight.”

Fairfield tied the game in the third on a Brad Woodburn single. After a Williamsburg run in the top of the fourth, the Trojans took a 6-5 lead after Connor Lyons scored one with an RBI bunt single and Nate Smithburg brought one in on a sacrifice fly.

Williamsburg tied it at 6-6 in the top of the fifth, but Evan Haines scored one on a sacrifice fly in the bottom half, and Nate Woodburn knocked one in with an RBI single in the sixth.

Williamsburg had a shot to tie the game in the seventh. Bates was pulled with runners on second and third with one out, but Brad Woodburn closed the game with a strikeout and a ground out to seal the victory.

After the game, Coach Allison credited his team’s resilience, as well as the energy they brought from the field and the dugout.

“The last couple of years, it’s been the last couple of weeks when they finally figure out how to gel,” Allison said. “This club has figured that out way sooner.”

Miller ended the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs to lead the team. Nate and Brad Woodburn each had two hits and an RBI.

Fairfield is now 6-7 on the year. The Trojans will put their 2-3 Southeast Conference record on the line against Washington (2-6, 1-5) on Thursday night.